,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dajc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #af1 #bjbf,mr4 ,padilla 7for himself and ,mr4 ,curtis7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,save ,our ,sequoias ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,sec4 #c4 ,shared stewardship agreement for giant sequoias4,sec4 #d4 ,giant ,sequoia ,lands ,coalition4,sec4 #e4 ,giant ,sequoia ,health and ,resiliency ,assessment4,sec4 #f4 ,giant sequoia emergency response4,sec4 #g4 ,giant ,sequoia ,reforestation and ,rehabilitation ,strategy4,sec4 #h4 ,giant ,sequoia ,strike ,teams4,sec4 #i4 ,giant sequoia collaborative restoration grants4,sec4 #aj4 ,giant sequoia insect monitoring and technology4,sec4 #aa4 ,stewardship contracting for giant sequoias4,sec4 #ab4 ,giant ,sequoia ,emergency ,protection ,program and ,fund4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,assessment ,the term ,assessment means the ,giant ,sequoia ,health and ,resiliency ,assessment required by section #e4 7#b7 ,coalition ,the term ,coalition means the ,giant ,sequoia ,lands ,coalition codified under section #d7;a74 7#c7 ,collaborative process ,the term collaborative process means a collaborative process as described in section #djjc7;b77#b7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gcjc7;b77#b774 7#d7 ,covered national forest system lands ,the term covered ,national ,forest ,system lands means the proclaimed ,national ,forest ,system lands reserved or withdrawn from the public domain of the ,united ,states covering the ,sequoia ,national ,forest and ,giant ,sequoia ,national ,monument1 ,sierra ,national ,forest1 and ,tahoe ,national ,forest4 7#e7 ,covered public lands ,the term covered public lands means-- 7,a7 the ,case ,mountain ,extensive ,recreation ,management ,area in ,california managed by the ,bureau of ,land ,management2 and 7,b7 ,kings ,canyon ,national ,park1 ,sequoia ,national ,park1 and ,yosemite ,national ,park in ,california managed by the ,national ,park ,service4 7#f7 ,giant sequoia ,the term giant sequoia means a tree of the species ,sequoiadendron giganteum4 7#g7 ,protection project ,the term ,protection ,project means a ,giant ,sequoia ,protection ,project carried out under section #f4 7#h7 ,reforestation ,the term reforestation means the act of renewing tree cover1 taking into consideration species composition and resilience1 by establishing young trees through-- 7,a7 natural regeneration2 7,b7 natural regeneration with site preparation and vegetation competition control2 or 7,c7 planting or direct seeding4 7#i7 ,rehabilitation ,the term rehabilitation means any action taken during the #e-year period beginning on the last day of a wildland fire to repair or improve fire-impacted lands which are unlikely to recover to management-approved conditions4 7#aj7 ,relevant congressional committees ,the term relevant ,congressional ,committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committees on ,natural ,resources1 ,agriculture1 and ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committees on ,energy and ,natural ,resources1 ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry1 and ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7#aa7 ,responsible official ,the term responsible official means an employee of the ,department of the ,interior or ,forest ,service who has the authority to make and implement a decision on a proposed action4 7#ab7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#ac7 ,secretary concerned ,the term ,secretary concerned means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 with respect to covered ,national ,forest ,system lands1 or their designee2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 with respect to covered public lands1 or their designee4 7#ad7 ,strategy ,the term ,strategy means the ,giant ,sequoia ,reforestation and ,rehabilitation ,strategy established under section #g4 7#ae7 ,strike team ,the term ,strike ,team means a ,giant ,sequoia ,strike ,team established under section #h4 7#af7 ,tribe ,the term ,tribe means the ,tule ,river ,indian ,tribe of the ,tule ,river ,reservation1 ,california4 #c4 ,shared stewardship agreement for giant sequoias 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after receiving a request from the ,governor of the ,state of ,california or the ,tribe1 the ,secretary shall enter into or expand an existing shared stewardship agreement or enter into a similar agreement with the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 the ,governor of the ,state of ,california1 and the ,tribe to jointly carry out the short-term and long-term management and conservation of giant sequoias4 7b7 ,participation 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,secretary has not received a request from the ,governor of the ,state of ,california or the ,tribe under subsection 7a7 before the date that is #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall enter into the agreement under subsection 7a7 and jointly implement such agreement with the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#b7 ,future participation ,if the ,secretary receives a request from the ,governor of the ,state of ,california or the ,tribe any time after entering into the agreement with the ,secretary of ,agriculture under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall accept the ,governor of the ,state of ,california or the ,tribe as a party to such agreement4 #d4 ,giant ,sequoia ,lands ,coalition 7a7 ,codification ,the ,coalition is the entity established under the charter titled ,giant ,sequoia ,lands ,coalition ,charter 7or successor charter7 signed during the period beginning ,june #b1 #bjbb1 and ending ,august #b1 #bjbb1 by each of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,national ,park ,service1 representing ,sequoia and ,kings ,canyon ,national ,parks4 7#b7 ,the ,national ,park ,service1 representing ,yosemite ,national ,park4 7#c7 ,the ,forest ,service1 representing ,sequoia ,national ,forest and ,giant ,sequoia ,national ,monument4 7#d7 ,the ,forest ,service1 representing ,sierra ,national ,forest4 7#e7 ,the ,forest ,service1 representing ,tahoe ,national ,forest4 7#f7 ,the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 representing ,case ,mountain ,extensive ,recreation ,management ,area4 7#g7 ,the ,tribe1 representing the ,tule ,river ,indian ,reservation4 7#h7 ,the ,state of ,california1 representing ,calaveras ,big ,trees ,state ,park4 7#i7 ,the ,state of ,california1 representing ,mountain ,home ,demonstration ,state ,forest4 7#aj7 ,the ,university of ,california1 ,berkeley1 representing ,whitaker's ,research ,forest4 7#aa7 ,the ,county of ,tulare1 ,california1 representing ,balch ,park4 7b7 ,duties ,in addition to the duties specified in the charter referenced in subsection 7a71 the ,coalition shall-- 7#a7 produce the ,assessment under section #e2 7#b7 observe implementation1 and provide policy recommendations to the ,secretary concerned1 with respect to-- 7,a7 ,protection ,projects carried out under section #f2 and 7,b7 the ,strategy established under section #g2 7#c7 facilitate collaboration and coordination on ,protection ,projects1 particularly projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries2 7#d7 facilitate information sharing1 including best available science as described in section #e7;d7 and mapping resources2 and 7#e7 support the development and dissemination of educational materials and programs that inform the public about the threats to the health and resiliency of giant sequoia groves and actions being taken to reduce the risk to such groves from high-severity wildfire1 insects1 and drought4 7c7 ,administrative support1 technical services1 and staff support ,the ,secretary shall make personnel of the ,department of the ,interior available to the ,coalition for administrative support1 technical services1 development and dissemination of educational materials1 and staff support that the ,secretary determines necessary to carry out this section4 7d7 ,public ,meeting requirement 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,coalition shall provide for public observation at no less than one meeting annually4 7#b7 ,closed sessions ,the ,coalition may close portions of a meeting as provided in paragraph 7#a7 to the public only when discussion will involve-- 7,a7 sensitive law enforcement1 security1 or emergency response matters1 the public disclosure of which would compromise public safety2 or 7,b7 confidential commercial information1 private property information1 or landowner information4 #e4 ,giant ,sequoia ,health and ,resiliency ,assessment 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,coalition shall submit to the relevant ,congressional ,committees a ,giant ,sequoia ,health and ,resiliency ,assessment that1 based on the best available science-- 7#a7 identifies-- 7,a7 each giant sequoia grove that has experienced a-- 7i7 stand-replacing disturbance2 or 7ii7 disturbance but continues to have living giant sequoias within the grove1 including identifying the tree mortality and regeneration of giant sequoias within such grove2 7,b7 each giant sequoia grove that is at high risk of experiencing a stand-replacing disturbance2 7,c7 lands-- 7i7 contiguous or adjacent to giant sequoia groves that are at risk of experiencing high-severity wildfires that could adversely impact such giant sequoia groves2 or 7ii7 in which the placement of fuel breaks could reduce the risk of high-severity wildfires that could adversely impact giant sequoia groves2 and 7,d7 each giant sequoia grove that has experienced a disturbance and is unlikely to naturally regenerate and is in need of reforestation2 7#b7 analyzes the resiliency of each giant sequoia grove to threats1 such as-- 7,a7 high-severity wildfire2 7,b7 insects1 including beetle kill2 and 7,c7 drought2 7#c7 examines how historical1 ,tribal1 or current approaches to wildland fire suppression and forest management activities across various jurisdictions have impacted the health and resiliency of giant sequoia groves with respect to-- 7,a7 high-severity wildfires2 7,b7 insects1 including beetle kill2 and 7,c7 drought2 and 7#d7 includes program and policy recommendations that address-- 7,a7 options to enhance communication1 coordination1 and collaboration1 particularly for cross-boundary projects1 to improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias2 and 7,b7 research gaps that should be addressed to improve the best available science on the giant sequoias4 7b7 ,annual updates ,not later than #a year after the submission of the ,assessment under subsection 7a71 and annually thereafter1 the ,coalition shall submit an updated ,assessment to the relevant ,congressional ,committees that-- 7#a7 includes any new data1 information1 or best available science that has changed or become available since the previous ,assessment was submitted2 7#b7 with respect to ,protection ,projects-- 7,a7 includes information on the number of ,protection ,projects initiated the previous year and the estimated timeline for completing those projects2 7,b7 includes information on the number of ,protection ,projects planned in the upcoming year and the estimated timeline for completing those projects2 7,c7 provides status updates and long-term monitoring reports on giant sequoia groves after the completion of ,protection ,projects2 and 7,d7 if the ,secretary concerned failed to reduce hazardous fuels in at least #c giant sequoia groves in the previous year1 a written explanation that includes-- 7i7 a detailed explanation of what impediments resulted in failing to reduce hazardous fuels in at least #c giant sequoia groves2 and 7ii7 a detailed explanation of what actions the ,secretary concerned is taking to ensure that hazardous fuels are reduced in at least #c giant sequoia groves the following year2 and 7#c7 with respect to reforestation and rehabilitation of giant sequoias-- 7,a7 contains updates on the implementation of the ,strategy under section #g1 including grove-level data on reforestation and rehabilitation activities2 and 7,b7 provides status updates and monitoring reports on giant sequoia groves that have experienced reforestation or rehabilitation as part of the ,strategy under section #g4 7c7 ,dashboard 7#a7 ,requirement to maintain ,the ,coalition shall create and maintain a website that-- 7,a7 publishes the ,assessment1 annual updates to the ,assessment1 and other educational materials developed by the ,coalition2 7,b7 contains searchable information about individual giant sequoia groves1 including the-- 7i7 resiliency of such groves to threats described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7a72 7ii7 ,protection ,projects that have been proposed1 initiated1 or completed in such groves2 and 7iii7 reforestation and rehabilitation activities that have been proposed1 initiated1 or completed in such groves2 and 7,c7 maintains a searchable database to track-- 7i7 the status of ,federal environmental reviews and authorizations for specific ,protection ,projects and reforestation and rehabilitation activities2 and 7ii7 the projected cost of ,protection ,projects and reforestation and rehabilitation activities4 7#b7 ,searchable database ,the ,coalition shall include information on the status of ,protection ,projects in the searchable database created under paragraph 7#a77;,c71 including-- 7,a7 a comprehensive permitting timetable2 7,b7 the status of the compliance of each lead agency1 cooperating agency1 and participating agency with the permitting timetable2 7,c7 any modifications of the permitting timetable required under subparagraph 7,a71 including an explanation as to why the permitting timetable was modified2 and 7,d7 information about project-related public meetings1 public hearings1 and public comment periods1 which shall be presented in ,english and the predominant language of the community or communities most affected by the project1 as that information becomes available4 7d7 ,best available science ,in utilizing the best available science for the ,assessment1 the ,coalition shall include-- 7#a7 data and peer-reviewed research from academic institutions with a demonstrated history of studying giant sequoias and with experience analyzing distinct management strategies to improve giant sequoia resiliency2 7#b7 traditional ecological knowledge from the ,tribe related to improving the health and resiliency of giant sequoia groves2 and 7#c7 data from ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments or agencies1 and other interested stakeholders with a demonstrated history of studying giant sequoias and with experience analyzing distinct management strategies to improve giant sequoia resiliency4 7e7 ,technology improvements ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary may enter into memorandums of understanding or agreements with other ,federal agencies or departments1 ,state or local governments1 ,tribal governments1 private entities1 or academic institutions to improve1 with respect to the ,assessment1 the use and integration of-- 7#a7 advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies2 7#b7 statistical modeling and analysis2 or 7#c7 any other technology the ,secretary determines will benefit the quality of information used in the ,assessment4 7f7 ,planning ,the ,coalition shall make information from this ,assessment available to the ,secretary concerned and ,state of ,california to integrate into the-- 7#a7 ,state of ,california's ,wildfire and ,forest ,resilience ,action ,plan2 7#b7 ,forest ,service's #aj-year ,wildfire ,crisis ,strategy 7or successor plan72 and 7#c7 ,department of the ,interior's ,wildfire ,risk ,five-,year ,monitoring1 ,maintenance1 and ,treatment ,plan 7or successor plan74 7g7 ,relation to the national environmental policy act of #aifi ,the development and submission of the ,assessment under subsection 7a7 shall not be subject to the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq474 #f4 ,giant sequoia emergency response 7a7 ,emergency response ,to protect giant sequoias 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,emergency determination ,congress determines that-- 7i7 an emergency exists on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands that makes it necessary to carry out ,protection ,projects that take needed actions to respond to the threat of wildfires1 insects1 and drought to giant sequoias2 and 7ii7 ,protection ,projects are necessary to control the immediate impacts of the emergency described in clause 7i7 and are needed to mitigate harm to life1 property1 or important natural or cultural resources on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands4 7,b7 ,application ,the emergency determination established under subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply to all covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands4 7,c7 ,expiration ,the emergency determination established under subparagraph 7,a7 shall expire on the date that is #g years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,implementation ,while the emergency determination established under paragraph 7#a7 is in effect1 the following shall apply3 7,a7 ,the ,secretary concerned1 acting through a responsible official1 shall carry out ,protection ,projects on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands in accordance with this section1 all applicable land management plans1 and the laws 7including regulations7 applicable to the ,secretary concerned4 7,b7 ,a responsible official shall carry out ,protection ,projects in accordance with the following1 as applicable3 7i7 ,section #bbj4d7;b7 of title #cf1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect ,july #ba1 #bjbb71 with respect to covered ,national ,forest ,system lands4 7ii7 ,section #df4aej of title #dc1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect ,october #ab1 #bjbb71 with respect to covered public lands4 7iii7 ,section #djb4je of title #ej1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect ,july #ba1 #bjbb71 with respect to covered ,national ,forest ,system lands and covered public lands4 7iv7 ,section #hjj4ab of title #cf1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect ,july #ba1 #bjbb71 with respect to covered ,national ,forest ,system lands and covered public lands4 7,c7 ,the rules established under subsections 7d7 and 7e7 of section #djhjg of the ,infrastructure ,investment and ,jobs ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feib;c7d71 7e77 shall apply with respect to ,protection ,projects by substituting ,protection ,projects for authorized emergency action under this section each place it appears in such subsections4 7,d7 ,protection ,projects shall be subject to the requirements of section #ajf of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feaf74 7#c7 ,protection projects ,the responsible official shall carry out the following forest management activities as ,protection ,projects under the emergency determination under this section3 7,a7 ,conducting hazardous fuels management1 including mechanical thinning1 mastication1 and prescribed burning4 7,b7 ,removing hazard trees1 dead trees1 or dying trees1 as determined by the responsible official4 7,c7 ,removing trees to address overstocking or crowding in a forest stand1 consistent with the appropriate basal area of the forest stand and the best available science1 as determined by the responsible official4 7,d7 ,activities to address insects1 disease1 invasive species1 and vegetative encroachment of a giant sequoia grove4 7,e7 ,any combination of activities described in this paragraph4 7#d7 ,requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,protection ,projects carried out under paragraph 7#c7 and reforestation and rehabilitation activities carried out under this ,act that are described by subparagraph 7,c7 are categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under section #ajb of the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccb74 7,b7 ,availability ,the ,secretary concerned shall use the categorical exclusion established under subparagraph 7,a7 in accordance with this section4 7,c7 ,requirements ,a ,protection ,project or reforestation or rehabilitation activity is described by this subparagraph if such ,protection ,project or reforestation or rehabilitation activity-- 7i7 covers an area of no more than-- 7,i7 #b1jjj acres within giant sequoia groves2 and 7,,ii7 #c1jjj acres on lands identified under section #e7;a77#a77;,c72 and 7ii7 occurs on ,federal land or non-,federal land with the consent of the non-,federal landowner4 7,d7 ,extraordinary circumstances ,the extraordinary circumstances procedures under provisions 7e7 through 7g7 of section #a;b4#c of title #g1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 shall apply to a ,protection ,project or reforestation or rehabilitation activity that is categorically excluded under subparagraph 7,a74 7,e7 ,use of other authorities ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary concerned shall use the authorities provided under this section in combination with other authorities to carry out ,protection ,projects1 including-- 7i7 good neighbor agreements entered into under section #hbjf of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #baac;a72 and 7ii7 stewardship contracting projects entered into under section #fjd of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feia;c74 7,f7 ,savings clause ,with respect to joint ,protection ,projects and reforestation and rehabilitation activities involving the ,tribe1 nothing in this section shall be construed to add any additional regulatory requirements onto the ,tribe4 7b7 ,implementation ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary concerned shall reduce hazardous fuels in no fewer than #c giant sequoia groves each year4 7c7 ,public notice ,the ,secretary concerned shall provide notice of each ,protection ,project on a publicly available website maintained by the ,secretary concerned4 #g4 ,giant ,sequoia ,reforestation and ,rehabilitation ,strategy 7a7 ,reforestation and rehabilitation strategy 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,coalition1 shall develop and implement a strategy1 to be known as the ,giant ,sequoia ,reforestation and ,rehabilitation ,strategy1 to enhance the reforestation and rehabilitation of giant sequoia groves that-- 7,a7 identifies giant sequoia groves in need of reforestation or rehabilitation1 giving highest priority to groves identified under section #e7;a77#a77;,a77i72 7,b7 creates a priority list of reforestation and rehabilitation activities2 7,c7 identifies and addresses-- 7i7 barriers to reforestation or rehabilitation1 including-- 7,i7 regulatory and funding barriers2 7,,ii7 seedling shortages or related nursery infrastructure capacity constraints2 7,,iii7 labor and workforce shortages2 7,,iv7 technology and science gaps2 and 7,v7 site preparation challenges2 7ii7 potential public-private partnership opportunities to complete high-priority reforestation or rehabilitation projects2 7iii7 a timeline for addressing the backlog of reforestation for giant sequoias in the #aj-year period after the agreement is entered into under section #c2 and 7iv7 strategies to ensure genetic diversity across giant sequoia groves2 and 7,d7 includes program and policy recommendations needed to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the ,strategy4 7#b7 ,assessment ,the ,secretary may incorporate the ,strategy into the ,assessment under section #e4 7b7 ,priority reforestation projects amendment ,section #c7;e77#d77;,c77ii77,i7 of the ,forest and ,rangeland ,renewable ,resources ,planning ,act of #aigd 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #afja7;e77#d77;,c77ii77,i77 is amended-- 7#a7 in item 7bb71 by striking and2 7#b7 in item 7cc71 by striking the period and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7dd7 shall include reforestation and rehabilitation activities conducted under section #g of the ,save ,our ,sequoias ,act4 4 #h4 ,giant ,sequoia ,strike ,teams 7a7 ,giant sequoia strike teams 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary concerned shall each establish a ,giant ,sequoia ,strike ,team to assist the ,secretary concerned with the implementation of-- 7,a7 primarily1 section #f2 and 7,b7 secondarily1 section #g4 7#b7 ,duties ,each ,strike ,team shall-- 7,a7 assist the ,secretary concerned with any reviews1 including analysis under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq471 consultations under division ,a of subtitle ,,iii of title #ed1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,national ,historic ,preservation ,act71 and consultations under the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca et seq472 7,b7 implement any necessary site preparation work in advance of or as part of a ,protection ,project or reforestation or rehabilitation activity2 7,c7 implement ,protection ,projects under section #f2 and 7,d7 implement reforestation or rehabilitation activities under section #g4 7#c7 ,members ,the ,secretary concerned may appoint no more than #aj individuals each to serve on a ,strike ,team comprised of-- 7,a7 employees of the ,department of the ,interior2 7,b7 employees of the ,forest ,service2 7,c7 private contractors from any nonprofit organization1 ,state government1 ,tribal ,government1 local government1 academic institution1 or private organization2 and 7,d7 volunteers from any nonprofit organization1 ,state government1 ,tribal ,government1 local government1 academic institution1 or private organization4 #i4 ,giant sequoia collaborative restoration grants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the parties to the agreement under section #c1 shall establish a program or expand an existing program to award grants to eligible entities to advance1 facilitate1 or improve giant sequoia health and resiliency4 7b7 ,eligible entity ,the ,secretary may award grants under this section to any nonprofit organization1 ,tribal ,government1 local government1 academic institution1 or private organization to help advance1 facilitate1 or improve giant sequoia health and resiliency4 7c7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that-- 7#a7 primarily1 are likely to have the greatest impact on giant sequoia health and resiliency2 and 7#b7 secondarily-- 7,a7 are small businesses or ,tribal entities1 particularly in rural areas2 and 7,b7 create or support jobs1 particularly in rural areas4 7d7 ,use of grant funds ,funds from grants awarded under this section shall be used to-- 7#a7 create1 expand1 or develop markets for hazardous fuels removed under section #f1 including markets for biomass and biochar2 7#b7 facilitate hazardous fuel removal under section #f1 including by reducing the cost of transporting hazardous fuels removed as part of a ,protection ,project2 7#c7 expand1 enhance1 develop1 or create facilities or land that can store or process hazardous fuels removed under section #f2 7#d7 establish1 develop1 expand1 enhance1 or improve nursery capacity or infrastructure necessary to facilitate the ,strategy established under section #g2 or 7#e7 support ,tribal management and conservation of giant sequoias1 including funding for ,tribal historic preservation officers4 #aj4 ,giant sequoia insect monitoring and technology 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary concerned shall-- 7#a7 develop and implement a strategy for monitoring insects in giant sequoia groves with a high-risk or previous history of insect infestations2 and 7#b7 seek to enter into public-private partnerships to deploy technology to assist in the short-term and long-term monitoring of giant sequoia groves with current or potential insect infestations4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary concerned shall submit a report to the relevant ,congressional ,committees that contains-- 7#a7 the strategy required under subsection 7a77#a72 7#b7 an update on the effectiveness of the monitoring program in preventing or addressing insect infestations in giant sequoia groves2 and 7#c7 program and policy recommendations to further address-- 7,a7 research gaps regarding giant sequoia resiliency to insects2 and 7,b7 opportunities to improve the resiliency of giant sequoias to insects4 #aa4 ,stewardship contracting for giant sequoias 7a7 ,national park service ,section #fjd of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feia;c7 is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7a77#b7 to read as follows3 7#b7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management with respect to ,bureau of ,land ,management lands and the ,director of the ,national ,park ,service with respect to lands within ,kings ,canyon ,national ,park1 ,sequoia ,national ,park1 and ,yosemite ,national ,park4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking national forests and the public lands and inserting national forests1 public lands1 and lands within ,kings ,canyon ,national ,park1 ,sequoia ,national ,park1 and ,yosemite ,national ,park4 7b7 ,giant sequoia stewardship contracts ,section #fjd7;c7 of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feia;c7c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 ,promoting the health and resiliency of giant sequoias4 4 7c7 ,stewardship contracting in certain national parks ,stewardship contracting projects occurring in ,kings ,canyon ,national ,park1 ,sequoia ,national ,park1 and ,yosemite ,national ,park shall be carried out in accordance with the laws 7including regulations7 applicable to the ,national ,park ,service1 including section #ajjgec of title #ed1 ,united ,states ,code4 #ab4 ,giant ,sequoia ,emergency ,protection ,program and ,fund 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #ajaa of title #ed1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting at the end the following3 #ajaabc4 ,giant ,sequoia ,emergency ,protection ,program and ,fund 7a7 ,giant sequoia emergency protection program ,the ,national ,park ,foundation1 in coordination with the ,national ,forest ,foundation and the ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands1 shall design and implement a comprehensive program to assist and promote philanthropic programs of support that benefit-- 7#a7 primarily1 the management and conservation of giant sequoias on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands to promote resiliency to wildfires1 insects1 and drought2 and 7#b7 secondarily1 the reforestation of giant sequoias on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands impacted by wildfire4 7b7 ,giant sequoia emergency protection fund 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,park ,foundation1 in coordination with the ,national ,forest ,foundation and the ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands1 shall establish a joint special account to be known as the ,giant ,sequoia ,emergency ,protection ,fund 7referred to in this section as the ,fund71 to be administered in support of the program established under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,funds for giant sequoia emergency protection ,the ,fund shall consist of any gifts1 devises1 or bequests that are provided to the ,national ,park ,foundation1 ,national ,forest ,foundation1 or ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands for the purpose described in paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,use of funds ,funds shall be available to the ,national ,park ,foundation1 ,national ,forest ,foundation1 and ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands without further appropriation1 subject to the provisions in paragraph 7#d71 for projects and activities approved by the ,director of the ,national ,park ,service1 ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 or ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 as appropriate1 or their designees1 to-- 7,a7 primarily1 support the management and conservation of giant sequoias on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands to promote resiliency to wildfires1 insects1 and drought2 and 7,b7 secondarily1 support the reforestation of giant sequoias on covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands impacted by wildfire4 7#d7 ,tribal support ,of the funds provided to the ,national ,park ,foundation1 ,national ,forest ,foundation1 and ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands under paragraph 7#c71 not less than #ae percent of such funds shall be used to support ,tribal management and conservation of giant sequoias1 including funding for ,tribal historic preservation officers4 7c7 ,summary ,beginning #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,national ,park ,foundation1 ,national ,forest ,foundation1 and ,foundation for ,america's ,public ,lands shall include with their annual reports a summary of the status of the program and ,fund created under this section that includes-- 7#a7 a statement of the amounts deposited in the ,fund during the fiscal year2 7#b7 the amount of the balance remaining in the ,fund at the end of the fiscal year2 and 7#c7 a description of the program and projects funded during the fiscal year4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms covered public lands and covered ,national ,forest ,system lands have the meaning given such terms in section #b of the ,save ,our ,sequoias ,act4 7e7 ,termination of effectiveness ,the authority provided by this section shall terminate #g years after the date of enactment of the ,save ,our ,sequoias ,act4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #ajaa of title #ed1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting at the end the following3 #ajaabc4 ,giant ,sequoia ,emergency ,protection ,program and ,fund4 4